How is life in the library? The best teacher I ever had once told me
that the three most important people to make friends with at any good-sized institution are the
cook, the secretary, and the librarian (advice I followed religiously until my capture a little
while ago – it served me quite well, as a matter of fact). Now you will actually be one of the
three. I just hope they have you doing more than shelving books (and even if they do have you doing
that, I am confident that you will use your resourceful spirit of initiative to take full advantage
of the opportunities that this summer job/internship is affording you; whatever you do, DON´T
LOAF! Idle hands really are the devil´s playground, you know). On a more somber note, I was
disappointed to hear of your father´s reaction when you told him you want to spend August in the
missions. It´s understandable, of course; he knows your potential and (I am sure) has long been
imagining all the worldly comforts and glory it could bring you. From his perspective, fame,
wealth, and a good husband are the ingredients for perfect happiness. Only your prayer and your
example of Christian joy will warm him up to your more spiritual priorities. Don´t worry. If you
continue to be faithful to God´s will (in big things, but also in little things – even shelving
books can give him glory, as did Christ´s making bookshelves in Joseph´s carpenter shop), God´s
grace will take care of your dad. You know, that reminds me of today´s saint.

Gall was the
son of an ambitious Frenchman, who took meticulous care of his son´s education. When Gall had come
of age, the father arranged his marriage to a prominent senator´s daughter, thereby hoping to climb
a bunch of rungs on the social ladder in one giant step. But Gall had already heard the call to
serve the Church; he had resolved to consecrate his life to God alone. So, instead of marrying the
finest lady in town, he fled to a nearby monastery and begged permission to enter. The abbot granted
it – on one condition: that he obtain his father´s approval. Imagine how the young Gall felt as he
retraced his steps. What humiliation! What anxiety! But the cause of the Lord prevailed, and his
father gave him the green light. Not much later the local bishop noticed his promise and ordained
him deacon, sending him as episcopal representative to King Theodoric´s court. A few years later
Gall was appointed bishop himself, and pastored his flock with extraordinary prudence, humility, and
zeal. He was especially noteworthy for his meekness. For example, when a senator-turned-cleric
(Evodius was his name) violently insulted him (Gall was already bishop at the time), Gall made no
response at all, but serenely rose from his chair and left the room to make a round of visits to his
churches. Evodius was so stricken with remorse at having accosted such a gentle and self-effacing
man that he ran after the saintly bishop and knelt before him right there in the dirty street in
order to ask pardon.

The point is, of course, that there is no better way to fulfill the
fourth commandment ("honor your father and mother") than by striving above all to please God;
indeed, if you become the saint that God wants you to, your parents will get extra credit for
increasing the Church´s holiness quotient, even if unwittingly.

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